Works to stop a leaking water pipe from bursting will mean a month of traffic diversions in Crystal Palace.

The pipe under Church Road supplies drinking water to thousands of homes and businesses and Thames Water said there is a high risk it will burst if it is not fixed.

Part of the road will be closed during the work, starting on July 21.

The first diversion route, for traffic heading north west up Anerley Hill, is Crystal Palace Parade, College Road, Dulwich Wood Park, Gipsy Road, Gypsy Hill, Central Hill, Hermitage Road and Beulah Hill.

The second route, for traffic heading south down Crystal Palace Parade or heading east along Westow Hill, is Anerley Hill, Anerley Road, Croydon Road, Penge Road, High Street, South Norwood Hill.

Staff from Thames Water will be at Westow Hill Sainsbury’s next Wednesday, July 8, from 4pm to 8pm to answer questions and explain why the work needs doing.

Work will take place throughout the night with Thames Water promising any noisy work will be done by 10pm each day.

Thames Water project manager Sean Healey said: "We’re sorry for the disruption this work will cause but it is a must-do job.

"We’ve discovered a leak on a major water pipe and if we don’t get it fixed it will get worse and could eventually burst.

"This could lead to flooding and would affect the water supply to a large number of homes and businesses - so it is important we don’t wait for the worst to happen and get on and repair the pipe now.

"We’ve worked closely with Croydon Council to plan diversions which will be clearly signposted well in advance and have purposely scheduled the job to take place during the school holidays to minimise disruption.

"We’ll be working as fast as we can, including at night, to finish this vital work as quickly as possible."